About the Author

Jennifer Cocanougher-Cooper graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law with a JD in August of 2005. She was ranked in the top 1/3 of her graduating class. She also graduated from Trinity University with honors in May of 2005, earning a BA in Political Science, a second major in Business Administration and a minor in Speech Communication.

In high school she was a varsity level LD competitor for four years and the team captain for three years. She qualified for the state level UIL competition in both her junior and senior years and was a finalist in 2000.  Additionally, she attended the Iowa Debate Institute in 2000 and the Cameron University Speech, Debate and Broadcast Camp in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

 During college Jennifer competed for the Trinity University debate team doing Policy (Cross Examination) debate during 2001 and 2002 at both the Novice and the Junior Varsity levels. At this time Jennifer also instructed at the Decatur High School Winter Debate Workshop during 2001 and 2002, Cameron University Speech, Debate and Broadcast Camp during 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 and the Liberty University Debate Institute during 2004 and 2005. In each of these instances Jennifer helped to develop curriculum for students at all levels of competition. Jennifer has also written topic analyses for the National Federation of High School’s yearly Lincoln Douglas Debate Annual during 2003 (Topic #7), 2004 (Topic #2), and 2005 (Topic #1).

A Word from the Author

I have been involved in debate for eleven years. My freshman year in high school was the first year that a debate team existed at my high school. Our coach was an algebra teacher who had never seen a debate round. Through many mistakes and observation we slowly began to understand the basics of LD debate. As I began to judge numerous debate tournaments and coach at summer institutes after high school graduation I began to understand that countless students and coaches are in the same position that I was in: without any educational materials or guides to this exclusive little world. Learning this complex activity with all sorts of seemingly ambiguous and contrived rules can be daunting without understandable instruction. This book is prepared as a text for young people interested in learning the basic (and not so basic) elements of Lincoln Douglas debate. It is written in a simplistic format that teaches LD from preparation through completion of a round and guidance for the tournament experience.

 As the author, I do not claim to have a perfect or complete knowledge of LD debate. Differing styles and principles make such knowledge impossible. Instead, my understanding is based upon my specific experiences as both a competitor and a coach. My intent is to give beginning level debaters a good idea of the basics of debate and to provide a springboard for them into a more advanced level of debate where debaters can develop their own understanding of debate theory as well as their own style.

Click Here to see a copy of my resume.